Can I smoke if I have prostatitis?
Disease description:
Recently, during a checkup, I was diagnosed with prostatitis. However, I have a habit of smoking. May I ask, is it permissible to smoke with prostatitis?
Doctor's answer (1)
Dr. Cao Zhiqiang
Patients with prostatitis should avoid smoking.
1. Effects of harmful substances: Nicotine has a strong vasoconstrictive effect, which can reduce blood supply to the prostate area, leading to ischemia and hypoxia in prostate tissue and worsening the inflammatory response. Smoking may also cause or exacerbate urinary tract irritation symptoms, such as frequent urination and urgency, thereby aggravating the symptoms of prostatitis.
2. Decreased immunity: Smoking weakens the body's immune system, while a strong immune system can promote recovery from prostatitis. Reduced immunity makes the body more susceptible to pathogen invasion, potentially leading to persistent or recurrent inflammation.
3. Impact on treatment effectiveness: Smoking may also affect the efficacy of medications and interfere with the treatment process for prostatitis. This could result in a longer duration of treatment for patients and even increase the risk of disease progression.
Patients with prostatitis should quit smoking to promote recovery and prevent disease recurrence. During the treatment of prostatitis, patients should follow their doctor's advice and undergo regular follow-up examinations.
